Are smaller boats always more fun?

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captainalex

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Could you get the same rush and buzz from racing around at 50 knots in an open 6m rib as you could from 50 knots in a 60ft planing boat. It always seems to be the case that the 150ft superyacht owners choose to use their 60knt+ cigarettes/apaches over the superyacht (an observation i made this summer.). Why?.
 
A very wise old friend told me when I first got the boating bug that..."The enjoyment derived from a boat can be measured in INVERSE proportion to it's overall length!"

Not seen or heard much since that has persuaded me otherwise!
 
Absolutely. You can arrive on a big boat in confidence. Taking a 21'er to West Country or France etc gives a big Gee Whizz factor, especially when the people at other end tell you they've never seen anyone in that size boat arrive from that distance.

Quite safe, but does take planning, and a willingness to turn back. You'd be suprised how many small boats make these trips once you get acquainted with the people who do it.
 
You are a bad influence /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

Quote :- "You'd be suprised how many small boats make these trips once you get acquainted with the people who do it."

You have got me thinking now, so when is the next big trip I want to go along for the experience? /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
 
To put the other view, I think big boats are more fun if you measure fun as the total amount of enjoyment you get from a weeks boating holiday, rather than the instantaneous excitement level of helming the boat in good conditions.

However I think the situation changes when you get to the point of needing a skipper and/or crew. That would reduce my enjoyment of the boating experience.

And all of the above has far less relevance on how much fun you have than the people you are having fun with.
 
Totally agree!! Portsmouth to Falmouth then back with no problems was a great experience /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Looking forward to planning a trip across the channel although it would be nice to do it with company.... we did get a little lonely on the way to Falmouth with no one to wave at /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

As for smaller being more fun, to an extent yes... I'd say that my 2nd boat an 18ft Searay BR was more fun than my first (an old 17ft glastron) but that was largely down to the searay having a deeper v and more power!! But then I'd almost say for blasting about and generally chucking the boat around the searay was probably a *little* bit more fun than my current boat.. BUT my current boat doesn't break down every other weekend doesn't cost a fortune to run /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif and is capable of taking me off on little adventures.. as well as providing impromptu overnight accommodation.. (This will mean something to a few forum members /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif)

Mind you thinking about it I guess the size differences I'm talking about aren't really comparable to 6m rib V's 60ft cruiser type thing..... /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
Looking forward to planning a trip across the channel although it would be nice to do it with company

[/ QUOTE ] that will probably be May now but I would put money on you getting there next year!

now that CG1 has established his range is easily enough I am sure he will be up for it too...........
 
Big Boats are relaxing - scrap a large sports cruiser in favour of a comfy flybridge anyday.
For the adrenalin go small, much more fun and a fraction of the price.

The guys are right, big trips are quite doable in smaller boats with experience and planning.
I take my little Fisher across to the channel islands fairly often (just got back from Alderney, fishing with silly John Wilson from the telly).
The main things to be aware of is insurance:
If your boat isn't CE CatB you may struggle to get anything other than Inland and Coastal. Not many boats under 23' are Cat B so be careful.
Other than that, do you carry enough fuel, do you have the right safety gear and do you know what you are doing...

Have fun in little boats, but safely!
 
I'll have exams in the last week of May (got 2 the end of this month /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif) so early June would be good for me (subject to weather etc!) may have a slight too many people not enough accomadation type issue though /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif already looking forward to it!!

Lots to do before that though...
 
[ QUOTE ]
Absolutely. You can arrive on a big boat in confidence. Taking a 21'er to West Country or France etc gives a big Gee Whizz factor, especially when the people at other end tell you they've never seen anyone in that size boat arrive from that distance.

[/ QUOTE ]

When I was in Barbados I met a guy who had just completed a solo transat in a wooden caprice...I was wowed by his achievement!
 
In many ways, I miss my old Shakespeare 17' with Suzi 100. Great ski boat. We used to get up early to catch the tide and the calm early morning summer weather and go skiing off Portmeirion in just 4-5 foot of water. Wouldn't dare do that with CI.

Ed_Snelson is now 14 and it won't be long before his Dad buys him a small rib to play with....or is that "for me" to play with?? Train set analogy...
 
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